How to Put Out a Cigar the Right Way

When it comes to enjoying cigars, knowing how to properly extinguish one is key to getting the most out of the smoking experience. Not only does this ensure that you’ll be able to relight it later, but it also helps preserve the cigar's flavor and quality. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps of how to put out a cigar the right way, so let’s dive in!

Importance of Properly Extinguishing a Cigar

Properly extinguishing a cigar is essential for several reasons, the first being that it preserves the cigar's flavor. If a cigar isn’t put out correctly, it can become harsh and bitter, making it unpleasant to smoke later. Second, it ensures safety: ensuring that your cigar is fully extinguished prevents the risk of accidental fires. And lastly, it helps maintain the cigar's longevity; correctly putting out a cigar helps preserve its structure and integrity, allowing you to enjoy it later without compromise.

Steps to Properly Put Out a Cigar

Let It Die Naturally

The best way to put out a cigar is to simply let it go out on its own; place it in an ashtray and let it sit. This method is the least damaging to the cigar's structure and flavor.

Avoid Stubbing It Out

Unlike cigarettes, cigars should not be stubbed out. This action crushes the cigar, making it difficult to relight and can lead to an unpleasant taste.

Cool It Down

If you need to put it out more quickly, gently blow through the cigar to expel any smoke and then place it in the ashtray. This helps cool down the ember and reduces the risk of a harsh taste when relit.

Use a Cigar Holder

If you're planning to relight your cigar soon, consider using a cigar holder. This keeps the cigar off the ashtray and helps maintain its shape and flavor.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Yes, even seasoned cigar smokers can make mistakes when putting out a cigar. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid to ensure you’re getting the best experience possible:

Stubbing Out

As we mentioned earlier, stubbing out a cigar is a significant mistake; this ends up crushing the cigar and will ultimately alter its flavor.

Dipping in Water

Some might think dipping a cigar in water will put it out effectively, and while this is technically true from a scientific standpoint, you shouldn’t. Putting a cigar under water will ruin the cigar completely and make it unsmokable.

Improper Storage

If you plan to relight your cigar later, you’ll want to make sure to store it in a proper environment, such as a humidor. Improper storage can dry out the cigar or cause it to become moldy, so you’ve nothing to lose in investing in a couple of neat accessories for your smoking time!

Tips for a Successful Relight

So, how do you successfully relight an already-smoked cigar? Here’s what to do:

Clean the Ash

Before relighting, gently tap off any loose ash from the foot of the cigar, as this helps ensure an even burn all over.

Purge the Cigar

Blow gently through the cigar to expel any stale smoke that may have accumulated - this helps refresh the cigar and reduce harshness.

Light Evenly

When relighting, use a good quality lighter to evenly toast the foot of the cigar. Rotate the cigar as you light it to ensure an even burn. And you can take a look at our blog on the best cigar lighters if you’re looking for inspiration.

Take Your Time

Finally, don't rush the relighting process. Slowly draw in to ensure the cigar lights evenly and avoids overheating, which can cause bitterness.

The Bottom line

In short, knowing how to put out a cigar the right way is essential for preserving its flavor, quality, and ensuring a safe smoking environment. Follow these steps, avoid the common mistakes noted above, and use our tips for a successful relight to enhance your cigar smoking experience - and you’ll be guaranteed a stress-free smoke every time!

For more information on maintaining your cigars, check out our guide on cigar shelf life explained - this blog will help you understand how to store your cigars correctly and what contributes to their longevity, so you can be sure that they remain in top condition.